How to choose the right putty for sealing drywall joints

One of the most important things to do when working with drywall is to seal the joints between the panels. In addition to guaranteeing a perfect finish, properly sealing these joints stops cracks and other problems from forming over time. Choosing the proper putty for this task is crucial to getting the best results.

Joint compound, sometimes referred to as putty, is available in a variety of forms and concentrations, each ideal for a particular situation or stage of drywall finishing. The size of the gaps, the surrounding conditions, and the desired finish all influence the best option. By being aware of these aspects, you can select a putty that will satisfy your requirements and guarantee a long-lasting and eye-catching finish.

We’ll examine the various kinds of putty for drywall joints in this post, emphasizing their benefits, traits, and ideal applications. With drywall projects, knowing which putty to use can make all the difference, whether you’re a professional contractor or a do-it-yourselfer. Let’s explore the world of drywall putty and learn how to select the ideal product for your upcoming project.

Criteria Description
Type of Drywall Select a putty compatible with the type of drywall used, such as regular, moisture-resistant, or fire-resistant drywall.
Joint Size For small joints, a lightweight putty works well; for larger gaps, consider a more durable, heavier putty.
Application Ease Choose a putty that"s easy to apply and sand, ensuring a smooth finish and easier painting.
Setting Time Consider the drying time; quick-setting putties can speed up the finishing process but may be harder to work with.
Finish Quality Opt for a putty that provides a smooth, even surface, minimizing the need for extensive sanding and additional coats.

Selecting the appropriate putty for caulking drywall joints is essential to attain a polished, flawless finish. Sandable, paint-compatible, and simple to apply are the three qualities of the perfect putty. Think about things like shrinkage, drying time, and the kind of surface you’re working with when choosing a putty. It’s critical to match the putty’s characteristics to the unique requirements of your drywall installation for a successful project.

The need to process seams in drywall

  • increasing the strength of sections of this base;
  • alignment of the surface, giving a homogeneous texture before decorative decoration;
  • increasing the durability of the subsequent coating design;
  • prevention of cracks, chips;
  • sealing screws, fastening corners and other metal elements with putty;
  • preparation of slabs for painting, gluing thin wallpaper;
  • creation of a protective moisture-resistant layer for plasterboard sheets, etc.d.

Materials, tools for puttying plasterboard joints

  • primer;
  • serpyanka or reinforcing tape;
  • putty mixture;
  • roller;
  • set of brushes;
  • electric drill with mixer;
  • construction knife;
  • grater with a sandpaper attachment;
  • container for mixing solutions;
  • a set of spatulas of different sizes;
  • construction rule, etc.d.
  • humidity level in the room;
  • finishing coating (for painting or plastering);
  • The choice of what to putty the surfaces with depends on the features of the design project;
  • operational characteristics of the room (living room, bedroom, study, kitchen, etc.d.).

  • gypsum;
  • polymer;
  • moisture-resistant cement, etc.d.

Appropriate for filling plasterboard slab joints. Because of the fillers, the material is safer, more environmentally friendly, and structurally compatible with gypsum board sheets. It also increases the composition’s durability. Due to its exposure to water, the putty is best suited for finishing rooms with ideal air humidity levels; it is not appropriate for use in bathrooms, apartment buildings, toilets, or other similar spaces.

Gypsum putties should not be used in the kitchen because of potential humidity and temperature variations. Because this material absorbs moisture after drying, during operation the seams become less taut, dry out, and lose their beautiful sheen.

Is adaptable and ideal for completing tasks in rooms for a variety of uses. High performance qualities are present in the material. Polymer blends are applicable in environments with varying humidity and temperature. The composition has the benefit of not requiring sanding after the coating dries. You can paint or adhere wallpaper using the putty.

Can be applied to unheated rooms, basements, kitchens, bathrooms, and other spaces to finish joints. The material can be used to process outdoor plasterboard ceilings. Temperature variations do not affect the coating. Applying a denser layer and accounting for potential shrinkage after drying are crucial.

  • starting;
  • finishing.

Are designed to fill joints and apply a rough layer. Putties with coarse grains can fill in small cracks and smooth out surface deformations. The thickness of the planned layer, which can be up to 2 cm, is factored in when determining the putty volume.

Are characterized by a consistent texture and lack fillers with coarse grains. To level the surface of prepared drywall for painting or other decorative finishing, mixtures are applied. One layer of the standard finishing coat is applied.

Manufacturers provide putties ready to use in the form of dry powder.

The best dry putty mixtures for gypsum plasterboard sheets and joint processing are those that are durable and resistant to temperature changes. One benefit of using a dry product is that it allows for small amounts of solution mixing when finishing. The content is widely available and is provided at a reasonable cost.

The mixture’s resistance to frost, strength, plasticity, composition stability, and precision in proportion maintenance are further benefits. Pay attention to the instructions on the product packaging when dilution the powder with water.

Putty solutions that are premade cost more money. The mixture must first be well combined in a container before it can be applied to joints and other surfaces made of gypsum plasterboard. Such solutions are long-term storage candidates provided the guidelines are adhered to.

Preparatory work before sealing the seams

Surface preparation is required prior to seam filling. It is imperative to inspect the plasterboard sheet installation quality, joint size, and screw fastening reliability. The element’s protruding caps are screwed in, misplaced screws are removed, and fasteners are reinstalled in compliance with specifications. The areas that require expansion and mounting tape (serpyanka) gluing are identified by inspecting the seams.

Dust and debris from construction are removed from the crevices between the plasterboard sheets. Using a construction knife, 0.5 cm-sized recesses with a 45° slope are made on the cut or factory edges. The process is required to increase the putty mixture’s adherence to the plasterboard ceilings.

Priming the surfaces is the next stage. The purpose of the treatment is to level the base, make putty application simple, and prepare slabs for painting or gluing wallpaper. It is advised to carefully prime the corners and seams.

It is recommended to use a deep penetration primer on drywall. The surface and the board joints must be allowed to dry after the product has been applied. Next, repriming is carried out. The mixture can be sprayed on or applied with a brush. A minimum of 0.5 mm should be the thickness of the layer. There should be uniformity in the coating.

The durability of the subsequent decorative finish increases and the putty mixture consumption decreases after the area has been properly primed.

Surface treatment

The spaces between the drywall boards are filled in after priming. The task is completed in phases.

The manufacturer’s instructions specify the proportions of powder and water to be used when mixing the putty composition.

  1. The putty is used to cover the heads of metal screws and recesses.
  2. It is necessary to putty the joint areas, the solution is applied deep into the seam.
  3. Then the mass is distributed along the length of the seam. If there are large joints, distribute it into sections of 2-3 m and fill with mortar.
  4. The mixture is pressed into the seams with a spatula to fill the empty space.
  5. At the end of the work, remove excess putty mortar, dry the surfaces.

Choosing a method for puttying drywall seams with your own hands

Before puttying drywall seams, a technology for processing the joints is selected.

  • using construction tapes when puttying;
  • puttying with serpyanka;
  • using perforated paper tape.

Using construction tapes when puttying seams

Use of construction tapes during the puttying process is a common method for processing the joints of drywall boards. The self-adhesive or standard fiberglass mesh is appropriate for adjusting longitudinal joints. However, because transverse joints are prone to cracking, construction tapes are not advised.

Since the material comes in standard sizes, it can be used for seams that vary in length and width. The tapes are simple to apply to joints and corner areas, and they are robust with reinforcement and a central fold. The strips are applied to the areas after being pre-coated with putty mortar and glue. Putty is applied to them once they have dried.

Puttying with serpyanka

The following procedures must be followed when applying putty to seal drywall seams with serpyanka:

  1. The solution is distributed on the seams to level the base.
  2. The putty is pressed to fill the depressions in the joints.
  3. The serpyanka is measured and cut to the marked length.
  4. Parts of the serpyanka are applied to the putty at the joints of the drywall sheets.
  5. The material is pressed along the length of the seam.
  6. A wide spatula is run along the surface of the tape to remove the remains of the solution.
  7. After 12 hours, the next layer of putty solution is applied to the areas. The second coating is necessary to increase the strength of the base, eliminate the consequences of slight shrinkage of the first layer.
  8. After the putty has dried, the joints are sanded using sandpaper or special equipment with a nozzle.
  9. After finishing the seams, it is necessary to prime and putty the surface of the drywall.

Puttying the seam using perforated paper tape

  1. The seams are cleaned, the joints are primed.
  2. The joints of the drywall boards are treated with a thin layer of putty solution to fix the perforated material.
  3. Then the tape is applied to the treated surface.
  4. When gluing, the strip is slightly stretched, while being held along the central part of the joint.
  5. The fabric is smoothed in a solution to prevent the formation of bends, bumps.
  6. The tape is pressed with a spatula using movements from the middle to the edge.
  7. Then the remains of the putty solution along the perforated canvas are removed.
  8. After 12-14 hours, a second layer of putty is applied to the joints.
  9. After drying, the coating is sanded.
  10. Then you can putty all the surfaces of the plasterboard.
  11. With a step-by-step application of putty and precise fixation of the perforated tape, the joints will be flush with the top layer of drywall sheets.

Sealing screws and seams of gypsum boards – step-by-step instructions (which one to choose)

Special compounds such as Knauf-Fugen, Knauf Uniflot, Fugenfuller, or their equivalents are used to putty drywall seams. The putty solution is diluted to a sour cream consistency once the primer layer has dried. Small portions of the mass are prepared because it dries quickly. Using a small spatula, apply a putty mixture to the self-tapping screws and remove any leftover solution. The smoothness of the surface ought to persist.

The location, size, and configuration of drywall joints all affect the subtleties of puttying them correctly.

The uneven joints on the slab’s long side are easily filled with mortar. It is possible to join the sheets vertically in height. Different technologies are used to process edged drywall slabs at the joints.

How can vertical joints be putty

The following procedures must be followed when puttying vertical joints of drywall sheets with finished factory edges:

  1. The joints are cleaned, filled with ready-made mortar.
  2. Before the finishing mixture dries, the joints of the slabs are glued with reinforcing tape or serpyanka mesh to prevent cracks.
  3. When using paper tape, the sheet is cut into pieces, which are soaked in settled water for 10 minutes. Then the strip is glued to the seam, smoothed with a medium-sized spatula and pressed from the middle part to the edge.
  4. At the end, the surface, sheathed with drywall, is treated with finishing putty, the junction is aligned at the level with the base.
  5. After preliminary work, these areas can be plastered with decorative compounds, painted, poured with wallpaper, etc.D.

Toleled seams on drywall

Putty can only be applied to plasterboard surfaces with trimmed seams that lack factory edges after preparation.

  1. The surface of the drywall in the places of connection of the plates is moistened several times with water using the hand.
  2. Then the grooves at an angle of 46 ° before priming are cut out with a sharp construction knife.
  3. Prepared sections of joints of plasterboard slabs are smeared with a solution of primer using a brush.
  4. After the layer dries, the seams are filled with special putty.
  5. The cracks are covered with a solution with a small spatula, the excess composition is removed with a wide tool.
  6. The mass is pressed into the seams to prevent subsequent cracking of the finish.
  7. The putty solution is applied to the seam again in a layer of 0.5 mm thick, and a reinforcing tape is fixed on top of the solution.
  8. The material is pressed to the base with a spatula, the remains of the putty solution are removed.
  9. The reinforcing tape is straightened, a thin layer of putty is applied on top and distributed over the surface.

The second technology for sealing joints for drywall joints: first with tape, then with putty

The second technique is puttying the drywall after attaching a serpyanka or reinforcing paper tape to it. The potential for voids to form in the joints beneath the tape is the drawback of this choice. The best option in this situation is to use self-adhesive serpyanka. The material is carefully puttyed on the surface after it has dried.

Small areas can be treated with this method. Unevenness and waves might persist after processing a sizable portion of drywall ceilings and finishing lengthy joints.

External and internal corners

Gypsum board partitions and walls are finished at the internal and external corners using the following materials:

  • serpyanka;
  • reinforcing paper;
  • aluminum perforated corners;
  • Sheetrock metal corners with paper inserts.

When decorating internal corners (the intersection of wall panels and the intersection of walls and ceilings), reinforcing paper and sickle tape are frequently used.

  • A little putty solution is applied to the corner parts;
  • Serpi or paper armored is placed on top;
  • with a narrow spatula, the canvas is pressed into the mass;
  • the remaining putty is removed;
  • then treat the corner again with a thin layer of putty.

Finishing external corners (slopes, protrusions, etc.) is done with perforated corners.

  • it is necessary to cut off part of the corner of the required length with scissors for metal work;
  • the edges are cut at an angle of 45° or less, it is not allowed to make a corner at 90° for plasterboard structures;
  • putty solution is applied to the outer corner from 2 sides in small parts with a gap of 10 cm in a checkerboard pattern;
  • a perforated corner is pressed into the putty solution;
  • the accuracy of the placement horizontally or vertically is checked, if necessary, the location of the corner is adjusted;
  • the remains of the solution are removed with a spatula, the edges are aligned in a single plane with the surface of the drywall;
  • the fixed corner is left until the putty dries;
  • then the surface is sanded;
  • if necessary, re-apply putty.

The Sheetrock corner installation process is comparable to that of perforated elements. Nonetheless, the metal base and paper inserts make the transition to the corner element’s drywall plane more comfortable.

Picking the appropriate putty for caulking drywall joints is essential to getting a seamless, long-lasting finish. The particular requirements of your project, including the kind of drywall, the surroundings, and your degree of expertise, should be taken into account. Choosing a putty that will adhere well, provide the desired finish, and endure the conditions of the space is made easier by being aware of these factors.

Putty comes in different varieties, each with its own advantages. Some dry quickly, while others have better flexibility or resistance to moisture. Although ready-mix putty is easy to use and convenient, powdered alternatives may be more cost-effective for more extensive projects. Which of these is best depends on how big the project is and how user-friendly you want it to be.

The quality of the finish can be greatly affected by application methods and tools, so don’t undervalue their significance. A long-lasting professional appearance is ensured by carefully applying putty and properly prepping the drywall surface. You can attain a smooth, visually appealing finish on your drywall joints by adhering to best practices and selecting the appropriate materials.

To sum up, choosing the right putty for drywall joints requires knowing the particular requirements and preferences of your project. Choosing the proper version, whether powdered or ready-mixed, will make application easier and result in a more long-lasting, eye-catching finish. For the greatest outcomes, take your time weighing your options and spend money on high-quality supplies.

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Andrey Ivanov

Experienced civil engineer with more than 20 years of experience. Specializing in the construction of industrial and civil facilities. Author of many publications in professional journals.

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